Gerald "Jerry" Mehlisch
August 15, 1931 ~ February 3, 2024
Born in:
Marshall County, IA
Resided in:
Fargo, ND
Jerry’s service will be viewable on this page shortly before it begins.
Gerald “Jerry” Mehlisch, 92 ½ years young, passed away under the care of hospice at Bethany Homes Transitional Care Unit.
Jerry’s unshakable spirit was evident from an early age when he overcame a battle with Polio during his years at Clemons High School. Despite the odds, he graduated in 1950 and pursued his passion for baseball. His talent was recognized by the Cleveland Indians Farm team, and he proudly played professional ball from 1951 to 1954, including the FM Twins with Roger Maris.
In 1959, Jerry embarked on a new chapter of his life by obtaining a teaching degree from MSU Moorhead. He found joy in coaching and educating young minds in Twin Valley and Halstad, Minnesota. In 1968, he began a long and fulfilling career as a professional relations representative for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
Jerry’s natural ability to communicate and educate led him to conduct insightful seminars throughout the state. His commitment to his work was unwavering until his retirement in 1992, after which he engaged in various part-time positions. Among these, his time spent as a resident driver at Riverview Place from 1997 to 2015 brought him immense joy and satisfaction as he befriended and assisted the residents.
Jerry enjoyed golfing and being a ranger at Edgewood Golf Course during spring, summer, and fall and in the winter he enjoyed neighborhood poker games. Jerry loved swing music, telling jokes, and giving a smile to all. He loved driving out of the city to “survey crops”, from planting, growing and fall harvest. Truly his country boy roots never left him.
A proud member of the Church of Nativity since its inception, Jerry served his community in numerous capacities, reflecting his unwavering dedication to his faith. Friends and acquaintances fondly remember his warm smile, engaging demeanor, and the joy he brought to all those around him.
He is survived by the love of his life, Shari; two children, Shannon and Jason (Missy); two grandchildren, McKenzie and Cody; beloved nephews Jim and Bradley; nieces Cathy and Diane; sister Doris; cousin Doug; as well as many dear friends and relatives.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Eva; and brother-in-law, Harold.
The family cannot express enough how grateful we are for the Bethany staff and Sanford Hospice for the outstanding care and friendship they provided to Jerry.
Services
Visitation - Thursday: February 8, 2024 6:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Celebration of Life - Thursday: February 8, 2024 7:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Burial:
Riverside Cemetery - Fargo
2102 5th St S
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
(701) 235-2671
https://www.fargoriverside.com/
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So Sorry to hear about Jerry. What a great neighbor.
Steve and Ella Bulat
Sheila,
Thank you for your heartfelt note.
Shannon
So sorry to learn of Jerry’s passing. I was associated with him while he worked at ND Blue Cross. He was such a great guy. He will be missed. Our thought & prayers are with you & family.
Wayne & Bonnie Larson
N Ft Myers, FL & Park Rapids, Mn.
Shari, Jason, Shannon and families: so very sorry to hear of my dear friend Jerry’s death. I have known him since his baseball-playing days (That’s a long time!). He was always so friendly, so kind, so caring! And oh! How he loved his kids!! I am so sorry I won’t be at the service on Thursday but will surely be watching! My love to all of you….Fly with the angels, dear Jerry!
Kathy Sornsin Boucher
Shari,
I’m so sorry to read of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a wonderful man. While I didn’t know him real close, I always left our conversations, with this thought on my mind…
“the world needs more Jerrys.
May God bless his soul and provide you and your family comfort and peace.
Scott Green
Shari, Shannon,Justin
I had the luck to be around Jerry as a referee and working and playing golf at Edgewood.. I have missed my interaction with him the last couple of years.
I’m sure there is a new catcher checking with Muscat to see what his best pitches are for that great game of baseball in heaven!
“Now catching for God’s team JERRY MEHLISCH”
REST IN PEACE FRIEND
Duane Rindy
Shannon and family…very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Such a fulfilling life! Prayers and continued strength through the days ahead.
Sending my deepest sympathies to your family.
Shannon and family,
Sending you love and thoughts of peace during this difficult time. Jerry was a great guy. I loved getting to know him at the golf course, he was always happy to see me.
He won’t be forgotten.
I had the pleasure of working with Jerry at BCBSND many years ago. He was a joy to work with and a fun, interesting guy to know. What a wonderful life he led! May he now rest in eternal peace.
Our deepest sympathies to all. We always enjoyed spending time with Jerry. Saw him often when he’d drive the van at Riverview Place. Spoke when we met at Redhawk games. Rest in Peace..hugs to all
Jason, Shannon and all members of your wonderful family, our warm wishes go out to all you during this time of great loss!
Praying for all of you!
He was a very good man!
Love and blessings from the Pat and Jamie Traynor Family
Shannon, Jason & Missy,
We are so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with him at Lazers & Deacon basketball games.
Tyler always enjoyed his visits with Jerry when they worked at Riverview together.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Teresa and the EH Infusion Center team
Shannon, Shari and Jason,
My deepest sympathies on the loss of a truly beloved man. What a beautiful tribute to a good life and servant of God. May he rest in heavenly peace.
I met Jerry at Edgewood on now #7 tee box many years ago. It was a fortunate day for me. We established a friendship based on common interests, and humor. We sought each other out to repeat the latest joke we’d heard, and catch up on recent events. He commonly spoke of family, and his loving feelings for all of you. I have often thought of Jerry since his rangering days were over, and take comfort in his friendship. My deepest sympathies to all of his family.
I will truly miss my treasured friend Jerry, what great conversation we had over many years.
One thing I know…Jerry will be playing golf in God’s foursome!
Years ago I got to know Jerry when he was with Blue Cross and would stop by Orthopaedic Associates to see if we needed anything. What a kind and helpful man! My sympathy in your loss.
My fondest memories of Jerry, was when my family and I attended Nativity Church and seeing Jerry and Shari sitting in there claimed spot in the church. I loved seeing them together, and your dad always had a smile!
Maybe him and Murray will hit some golf balls together, in Gods Kingdom!
Big hug for you! Love you.
We are so sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing. Blessings to the family. Time has passed and we remember our families getting together years ago. Those were memorial! Jerry was so kind and a great Godfather to our daughter McKay. May his memory be always blessed. Sincerely, The Brekke family
Dear Shari, Shannon, Jason and families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. With our deepest sympathy,
Diane (Lemker) Tyree and family
I was so sorry to hear about Jerry. He was such a wonderful guy! I first met Jerry when I joined Edgewood Men’s Club in 1994. Jerry was one of the first people I played with, and we hit it off right away. I then got to know him better when The Sports Bubble opened, and he was working there. I always looked forward to talking with Jerry, he was such a positive person, and I was always thrilled when we ran into each. I was lucky enough to be Jerry and Shari’s mailman for a time in 2009 and 2010. It was a great 30-year friendship we had, and I will miss him. My sincere condolences to Shari and his Jerry’s family.